Ema

Thanks Trinny, it’s great when you feel understood. Since being back I’ve joined a netball team and go to a regular yoga class. I’ve signed up to start a masters degree in September so I’m moving forward and feeling better about my new life here. It’s been a difficult 8 months but I’m getting there. Thanks again. I’ll look at joining some other clubs. It’s hard as hubby works away and I have two young girls but I’ll figure it out. Thanks again xxx

Thank you. I’m sure I’ll get there. In Australia I had a full life with a job and lots of friends. Here I have no job and few friends so it’s very different at the moment. I know that’ll all come with time and I know I have to be proactive in building a life again. It’s just dealing with the present is harder than what I imagined it would be. I keep looking back at how good I had it in Melbs and then find it hard to believe that a future here would be half as good which sends me spiralling into depression. My mind is the enemy right now and I need to figure out a way to attach good thoughts and feelings to my new home. Like I keep saying time will help I’m sure.

I envy people who think Liverpool is the best city in the world. That’s what I used to think and I was quite happy. I left because I was curious about the world but I didn’t expect to fall in love with another place so much. I’m trying to explore, find places I’ll enjoy and meet new people through netball and Mother’s groups but (obviously) it’s going to take time. I just miss Melbourne so much. My heart feels like it’s torn in two. It’s pretty crap to say the least and I’m fed up of feeling down about it. I’ve stopped talking about it to family and friends to try and focus on the positive things and to try not bore people to death with my moaning. I’m going to give it a couple of years. If I still feel like this in 2 years I may have to think about going back although I honestly don’t want to. Time will tell I guess.

Thanks Toots, fingers crossed I make some new friends, life long friends like I did in Aus. I found making friends overseas easier, I think because people are often without family so make more of an effort but that’s not to say it’s impossible to make friends here. Of course it’s possible, anything’s possible

Thanks Ramot, that’s really kind. I’m sure I’ll settle back, it’ll just take time. I know I can be impatient at times so I’ll just focus on one day at a time

Thanks for everyone’s input on this topic, it’s appreciated. I must point out however that my initial post was asking for advice on how to settle back into a life in the UK after living a different life in Australia. I’m not asking for comparisons. You can’t really compare as they’re in two different leagues city wise plus saying one is better than the other doesn’t make any difference to me. I just need to know if anyone has been through similar situation and if so can they offer any words of advice. Settling back into the UK is hard whatever anyone thinks of Liverpool or Melbourne. I liked the idea of starting a fresh in a new town which I’m looking at now thanks. I also joined a netball team this week to try and build a new circle of friends. Any other suggestions are very welcome X

Thanks so much for everyone’s suggestions. I am definitely looking at relocating to a new place for a fresh start and have already started some conversations with my husband. Amber I was actually going to look at Chester. I need to get out and about and start to explore the area to see what’s out there. The more I think about it the more I dislike this place and after living somewhere that I love I don’t think I can just settle. My husband doesn’t seem convinced however that a new home town is the answer. Looks like I’m going to have to convince him to give it a try somehow X

Yes I think I defo need a fresh start. I don’t think trying to slot back into this life was or is a good idea. I’ve tried explaining this to my husband but he wants to be really close to family. I’d like to move to a different town and make it our own. I think I’ll revisit that idea with him X

I’ve been back 4 months now. I liked Melbourne so much more because of the great shops/ malls/ outdoor activities/ coffee/ food/ beaches/ city life and my friends. I have one friend here. She’s busy with work and it’s hard to relate to her as she has no kids and doesn’t do many kiddie things. She likes to go out drinking a lot. I guess we’ve grown apart. Here I don’t feel there’s a lot on offer. Our local town/ shopping strip is empty with a few charity shops. It feels like the walking dead whereas Melbourne was full of life, cafes, small independent businesses etc. I just liked it so much more. I have tried to get involved with mothers groups etc but I don’t feel like I fit in. What’s bizarre is I have all of my family around me yet I’ve never felt more alone. Im planning to join a netball team and hope to make friends that way. I guess I’m looking for answers that don’t exist. Time like you say may make things better. I can only hope that’s the case. Thanks for your reply X

I’ve just recently moved back to the UK after spending nearly 7 years in Melbourne. I’m trying to slot back into my old life but it’s not easy. I miss Melbourne, the way of life and mostly my friends. When I explain this to people they don’t seem to understand and get defensive of Liverpool. They tell me all the great things about it here but they don’t understand that I’ve come from something so much better. It’s also hard making new friends. In Melbourne people are without family so they make an effort to find and keep good friends. Here it’s not like that. I’m also struggling to find people I have things in common with. I want to just go back to a Melbs but I don’t want to take my kids away from our families as they are so happy. I’m stuck and I need help and advice on what to do and how to move forward